“We have started accepting applications, but have not started interviewing yet,” Jonathan Curtis, a regional manager for the new restaurant, told this news outlet. “We are hoping to start (interviewing) next week. Our goal for opening will be close to 170 team members.”

The 280-seat restaurant will be the first in the Dayton area from Michigan-based Black Rock Bar & Grill, which operates a dozen locations in Michigan and Florida and one in the Toledo area. The Fairfield Commons property formerly held a Don Pablo’s Mexican restaurant, which closed its doors in September 2016 and was demolished last year to pave the way for construction of the new 8,200-square-foot restaurant.

Mall at Fairfield Commons officials said in a release last year that Black Rock will offer a “unique dining experience” and will be “the perfect complement to the types of dining options that we are able to showcase to our visitors.”

The area in and around the Mall at Fairfield Commons has seen a surge in new-to-the-Dayton-market restaurants, including Giordano’s Chicago-style pizza and Flyby BBQ, which opened on the same day last month. Joining their ranks soon will be Jason’s Deli, which will open next door to Giordano’s across the street from the mall in the coming months.

In addition, El Toro Mexican Bar & Grill recently confirmed it will come to the North Fairfield Road corridor near the mall in the former Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant.